Karnataka   

Communalism originated from upper class, says Praful Bidwai

MANGALORE: Communal attitude developed among the aristocratic and upper castes in the country as a reaction to modernity, opined columnist Praful Bidwai.

Mr. Bidwai was here on Sunday to participate in a two-day national-level conference organised as part of the 90th birthday celebrations of veteran Marxist B.V. Kakkilaya.

“Modernity brought with it certain irreverence for established hierarchies. Suddenly, the actions of the all-powerful were not beyond question. It made them vulnerable,” Mr. Bidwai said in the first session of the day that delved into methods to combat communalism.

Tracing the history of communal hatred in the sub-continent, he said that as modern ideas of liberalism, socialism and gender equality began to spread during the 19th century, it put people at the top of the hierarchy at a vulnerable position.

“Reason demanded that there should be equality and demolition of feudalism. And that is exactly why the upper caste or class could not tolerate reason. As a reaction, they steeped themselves further into the practice of an orthodox brand of religion that preached inequality and oppression,” he said. These were the first baby steps towards the spread of a larger communal identity, he added.

Writer K. Phaniraj said the communal agenda in the country was being taken forward by the backward classes.

According to him, after years of subjugation, the Dalits and the OBCs in the country have developed several insecurities and harboured a deep yearning to be accepted as part of society by the upper castes.

“They want to belong and gain the approval of their centuries old oppressors,” he said and added, “as warriors fighting for the very faith that excluded them they hope for inclusion in the faith.” Later, at a session on Women’s Studies, sociologist N. Gayathri said women were the biggest victims of communal violence.

Pointing to the violence that is unleashed on women, Ms. Gayathri said that communalism and patriarchy were deeply interlinked.

“Communal identities stem from patriarchy,” she said. She said that infliction of violence on women was indicative of patriarchal strains in the oppressor and the oppressed.

“The attack on the woman of a community is not merely a physical attack on her, but a psychological attack on the patriarchal pride of the community,” she said.

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